Benefits

As a Mines employee you will be eligible to participate in a wide range of benefits. Many benefits are shared among all employment classifications, but some are depend on the type of position you hold and percentage of full time.

Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA)PERA is Colorado's substitute for Social Security for its public employees. All employees of Colorado School of Mines, regardless of employment classification, are PERA members. Benefits are pre-funded, which means while working, employees and employers are required to contribute a fixed percentage of salary to the retirement system. For more information on PERA, visit www.copera.org.

Health and Leave BenefitsAcademic, Administrative, Research Faculty In general, employees in academic, administrative, library, athletic, and research faculty positions are eligible for medical, dental, life insurance and long term disability insurance paid for by Mines. Medical and dental benefits for faculty are provided by Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield which offers a choice of three health and two dental plans. Each plan has special features and a variety of ways to manage personal medical and dental care of employees and their families. Additionally, vision insurance may be purchased through Vision Service Plan (VSP).

In addition to the basic term life insurance and long term disability insurance paid by Mines, faculty may purchase or enroll in voluntary term life insurance, voluntary accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and flexible benefit plans.

Faculty insurances are provided by Mines through its membership in the Colorado Higher Education Insurance Benefits Alliance Trust.

Classified StaffThe State of Colorado offers medical and dental insurance to eligible employees through Great-West Healthcare, Kaiser Permanente and Delta Dental. Each provider offers a variety of plans for classified employees to choose from based on individual and family needs. Costs are shared between Mines and the employee. The state sets the amount of cost sharing each plan year.

Other classified staff health benefit options include: basic term life/accidental death and dismemberment insurance (AD&D), optional life/AD&D insurance, flexible benefit plans, short term and long term disability insurance.

Leave BenefitsAll full-time academic, administrative, and research faculty earn sick leave for use during a personal or immediate family illness. All full-time adminstrative and research faculty earn vacation leave based on years of service. Leave accruals are earned on a pro-rata basis for employees working less than full time.

Classified staff earn sick and vacation time based on percentage of full time and years of service.

Mines Dependent Tuition Reduction BenefitDependents of eligible employees may attend Colorado School of Mines at a reduced tuition rate. The amount of the tuition reduction under this benefit is up to 50 percent of in-state tuition. In compliance with I.R.S. rules, the benefit applies to undergraduates only.

Voluntary Retirement PlansPublic employees may participate in optional retirement plans which supplement mandatory PERA contributions. All employees are eligible to participate in the State of Colorado 457 Deferred Compensation Plan and PERA's 401(k) plan. Additionally, employees at Mines may voluntarily participate in 403(b) tax-sheltered annuity plans.

Paid HolidaysThe State of Colorado identifies 10 holidays for all government institutions. Rules provide for agencies to adopt an alternative holiday schedule. Mines traditionally observes an alternative holiday schedule, which generally provides employees time off between Christmas and New Year's, as well as other holidays throughout the year.

Discounts and Services
Other discounts and services available to employees are:

Work-Life Discounts

Credit Union of Colorado

Employee Assistance Program

Dining Facilities

Library Access

Student Recreation Center Membership

Bookstore Discounts

This benefits overview page is intended as a general description of the benefit plans and programs available to Colorado School of Mines employees. The amount and availability of benefits is governed by one or more of the following: plan documents for each plan, state statute, state personnel rules, or Mines policies and procedures. Any conflict between the content of this overview shall be governed by applicable plan documents, statutes, rules, policies and procedures. Colorado School of Mines reserves the right to modify, suspend or terminate these benefits at any time to the extent permitted by law. This information does not constitute an agreement of employment or guarantee any particular benefit. Eligibility requirements and requests for more information can be provided by Human Resources at 303-273-3052.